ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Glycosidases profusion in male reproductive fluids suggests a possible relationship with sperm function. Although Hexosaminidase (Hex) is the most active glycosidase in epididymal fluid and seminal plasma, as well as in spermatozoa, Glucosidase is considered a marker for epididymal function and azoospermia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine Hex activity in seminal plasma from patients with normal and abnormal spermograms and analyze its correlation with seminal parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study, seminal plasma from azoospermic, asthenozoospermic, teratozoospermic, and normozoospermic patients was analyzed for the activity of: total Hex, HexA isoform, and glucosidase. Besides, hexosamine levels were determined, and the amount of Hex was quantified by immunoblot with a specific antibody. Correlation of Hex activity with seminal parameters was also analyzed. RESULTS: Hex activity, like glucosidase, was significantly reduced in azoospermic samples (44, 49, and 60% reduction for total Hex, HexA and glucosidase, respectively). A reduced amount of Hex in azoospermic samples was confirmed by western immunoblot. Hex activity was negatively correlated with round cells in azoospermic samples and positively correlated with motility in asthenozoospermic ones. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that Hex activity was reduced in azoospermic samples and this was due to a lower amount of enzyme. The correlation to seminal parameters related to particular pathologies suggests a possible relationship of Hex with fertilizing capacity.
ABSTRACT
Two-cell murine embryos were cultured for 72 h in the presence or absence of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), frozen for 60 days and, after thawing, cultured for an additional 24 h in the presence or absence of GM-CSF. During the initial 72 h period, GM-CSF did not influence the percentage of embryos reaching the expanded blastocyst stage, but there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the number of cells in the embryos grown with GM-CSF. Survival after thawing was not affected by previous exposure to GM-CSF, but re-expansion of the blastocoele was diminished in that group. Exposure to GM-CSF during the post-thaw period greatly enhanced re-expansion of the blastocoele. The presence of human serum albumin in the culture media is thought to have masked the beneficial effect of GM-CSF upon embryos.
Subject(s)
Blastocyst/drug effects , Cryopreservation , Embryonic Development/drug effects , Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/pharmacology , Animals , Blastocyst/cytology , Blastocyst/physiology , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Culture Media , Female , Humans , Mice , Serum AlbuminABSTRACT
Determinar la posibilidad de utilizar un laboratorio central defertilización in vitro al cual se trasportan los ovocitos desde el sitio de su recuperación. Determinar si ese trasporte altera la capacidad de los mismos para ser fertilizados y dar origen a embriones viables.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Pregnancy , Adult , Fertilization in Vitro/methods , Oocytes/transplantation , Reproductive Techniques/statistics & numerical data , Embryonic Development , Fertilization in Vitro/statistics & numerical data , Fertilization in Vitro/standards , Infertility/epidemiology , Infertility/therapy , Oocytes/drug effects , Oocytes/growth & development , Reproductive Techniques/instrumentation , Reproductive Techniques/standardsABSTRACT
Determinar la posibilidad de utilizar un laboratorio central defertilización in vitro al cual se trasportan los ovocitos desde el sitio de su recuperación. Determinar si ese trasporte altera la capacidad de los mismos para ser fertilizados y dar origen a embriones viables.